I have the immense pleasure of bringing you this exclusive travel guide for Rotterdam.
Hilde Sanderman is unparalleled in crafting unique city guides and as a vegan, she makes sure all of her experiences get the most of of each destination for plant-eaters.
Hilde runs her own world-class travel advisory company called Trip Stylist. If you need assistance crafting anything from a vegan-friendly city break all the way up to an all-inclusive luxury vacation, you will not find anyone more qualified than Hilde.
This Rotterdam guide not only contains the top vegan spots for food, but also everything you need to know to enjoy a short stay in Rotterdam. Top museums and galleries? Check. Do you need to tip? Check. Vegan high tea location? CHECK!
You should bookmark the Trip Stylist website and check out the Rotterdam guide below to see just how thorough and wide-reaching Hilde is with her travel guides.
Definitely get in touch with Hilde if you need help planning an unmatched vegan holiday.
Rotterdam guide by Trip Stylist
FAST FACTS
Population: 994.000, 174 different cultures & nationalities
Language: Dutch (English is widely spoken & understood)
Country: Netherlands
Vegan community: The estimated number of Vegans in the Netherlands is 50.000
(Source NVV, Dutch Association of Veganism)
Local Currency: Euro
ATTRACTIONS
Cubical houses
The Cubical houses was a totally new concept of designing city houses. The tilted cubes were designed by Dutch architect Piet Blom and constructed in 1984. The Rotterdam group of houses is known as the Blaakse Bos (as it resembles a forest),
which borders on the Laurenskwartier district and the Waterfront area, where Markthal can be found as well.
These houses were built in Rotterdam and Helmond and outside the Netherlands in Toronto, Canada. You can visit the so-called Kijk Kubus. It’s a fully decorated museum house.
Admission: Euro 2.50 (adult)
Opening hours: Daily 11:00-17:00hrs
Address: Overblaak 70 – 3011 MH Rotterdam
Directions: Just East of the Blaak tram/metro/train station
Phone: +31-10-4142285
Website: http://www.kubuswoning.nl/introkubuseng.html
Katendrecht & the Fenix Food Factory
Once Rotterdam’s Chinatown, attracting homesick sailors and ladies of the night in equal measure, Katendrecht is now home to the hip and happening. Over the past few years, this peninsula has become one of the liveliest parts of town without losing its rougher edges. Young couples bought a fixer-upper in the neighborhood or opened a restaurant, shop or coffee bar. Cute little eateries, ice salons and bars are around every corner these days, making Katendrecht a dream destination for foodies.
One of the old Fenixloodsen quayside warehouse now accommodates the Fenix Food Factory, an indoor market for fresh foods where you can shop for authentic and traditional products: From bread straight out of the oven to homebrewed cider. The sidewalk café on the waterfront offers an enchanting view of the sunset over the Maas River, and the Kaapse Brouwers brew a fantastic array of beers. The food trucks that park there, a different one every week, serve fresh, tasty food for a very affordable price. The island’s pride and joy is the ss Rotterdam, a steam-powered cruise ship that sailed back and forth between Rotterdam and Manhattan in the 1960s and is now permanently moored at the tip of the Katendrecht peninsula. Take a tour through the ship’s gangways and halls, and finish with a drink on the promenade deck, complete with swimming pool.
The Fenix Food Factory is a food hub by seven Rotterdam food entrepreneurs. In the Fenixloods, a former warehouse, a fresh food market sells local products from the Kaapse Brouwers brewery, Jordy’s Bakery, CiderCider, Stielman coffee roasters and Rechtstreex, a local farmer.
Admission: Free
Opening hours: Wednesday till Sunday. Saturday 10:00 – 18:00hrs.
There are benches on the adjacent quay that offer the best views of
the Rotterdam skyline.
Address: Veerlaan 19 – 3072 AN Rotterdam
Website: https://en.rotterdam.info/locations/fenix-food-factory/
GALLERIES
Witte de With Kwartier – the art district
The Witte de Withkwartier is the vibrant heart of the Rotterdam art scene and is known for its dynamic nightlife. Sometimes referred to as Rotterdam’s ‘Axis of Art’, the Witte de Withstraat runs from Museumpark to the Maritime Museum and is lined in various cultural institutions. Browse the art on display at TENT or Witte de With.
While galleries, cultural institutes and fashion boutiques are open all day, the focus shifts to cafés and restaurants in the evening. Grand café NRC (which stands for Nieuw Rotterdams Café) is a great place to people watch. The most famous pub in the street is De Witte Aap, an institution in the city’s nightlife for ages; Lonely Planet even nominated it as the best bar in the world! More recent arrivals to the bar scene, like Ballroom and La Bru, are popular with the young and trendy crowd. The gin and tonics sell like hotcakes across the meticulously hip designer counters. Hoping to rub shoulders with local artists and authors? Head over to De Schouw, a classic café that’s quickly packed on good nights.
Admission: Free
Opening hours: Daily bars and café’s open at 15:00hrs and are open until 04:00hrs
Address: Bar De Witte Aap | Witte de Withstraat 78 – 3012 BS Rotterdam
Phone: +31 (0) 10 414 9565
Website: http://dewitteaap.nl/
Witte de With Center of Contemporary Art & TENT
The Witte de With Center for Contemporary Art is an international art institute with Rotterdam as its home base. Established in 1990, the Center is the place to be for everyone who is interested in developments in the world of international contemporary art. It is one of the most important institutes for contemporary art in the Netherlands and is internationally regarded as a pioneer in this field. A progressive platform with room for both up-and-coming and established artists and curators. The exhibition area is situated in a historic former school building on the Witte de Withstraat, Rotterdam’s ‘street of culture’. It shares its building with TENT.
Admission: Euro 6,00 (adult)
Opening hours: Saturday 11:00 – 18:00hrs
Address: Witte de Withstraat 50 – 3012 BR Rotterdam
Phone: +31 (0) 10 411 0144
MUSEUMS
Museum Rotterdam – Exhibition at the Timmerhuis | The New City
“De Nieuwe Stad”, an exhibition in the new Museum Rotterdam in the Timmerhuis, is fittingly showcased in the space between the steel and glass of Koolhaas’s new icon and the concrete and brick of the old Reconstruction headquarters. The exhibition depicts Rotterdam’s characteristic faith in the future and is one of the ways in which Rotterdam celebrates the City! The story of Rotterdam is told through items from the collection of the museum combined with the experiences of Rotterdam people past and present. The multifunctional Timmerhuis is no traditional museum building by any means, but this suits the subject matter of the museum perfectly.
Admission: Euro 7,50 (adult)
Opening hours: Saturday 11:00 – 17:00hrs
Address: Exhibition is at The Timmerhuis at Meent 119, 3011 JH Rotterdam
Website: https://museumrotterdam.nl/en/
Kunsthal Rotterdam
Kunsthal Rotterdam is housed in a striking building designed by Rotterdam s OMA/Rem Koolhaas architectural practice and was opened in 1992. Since then, the Kunsthal has put culture in the widest sense of the word on show, from elitist to popular. There are always a number of exhibitions to see, both large and small-scale, from old masters to contemporary art, from innovative design to engaging photography.
Admission: Euro 12,00 (adult)
Opening hours: Saturday 10:00 – 17:00hrs
Address: Westzeedijk 341 – 3015 AA Rotterdam
Website: http://www.kunsthal.nl/en/
Boijmans Van Beuningen
Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen is one of the oldest museums in the Netherlands. Its collection is built on the legacy of jurist Frans Jacob Otto Boijmans, who left his personal collection to the city of Rotterdam in 1849. In 1958, the name of benefactor Daniël George van Beuningen was added to the museum after the acquisition of his collection. The current museum building opened in 1935; it is a historic building designed especially for the collection by city architect Adrian van der Steur. The stately presence in red brick houses intimate galleries and amply sized salons in which the art can be viewed in natural light. The collection includes paintings, sculptures and objects, as well as an important collection of drawings and etchings. It features many major Dutch and European works spanning the period from the early middle ages to the 21st century, from Van Bosch to Rembrandt, and from Van Gogh to Dalí and Dutch Design.
Admission: Euro 15,00 (adult)
Opening hours: Saturday 11:00 – 17:00hrs
Address: Museumpark 18 – 3015 CX Rotterdam
Website: http://www.boijmans.nl/en/
SHOPPING
Laurenskwartier
The small river called ‘the Rotte’, that once ran through the area, was dammed around 1270 and became the center of a small fishing village. Trade and shipping flourished, leading to the rapid growth of ‘Rotterdam’. The only remnant that still recalls that medieval village is the Late Gothic Laurenskerk. A striking feature beside the new architecture that has been added to Rotterdam since then. It offers a striking contrast with the covered Markthal, the latest and most visually prominent architectural icon in the area. Housed under a single horseshoe-shaped roof, 150 market stands, 15 shops, 8 restaurants and 228 apartments have been brought together by MVRDV architects. An outdoor market is also held here on Tuesdays and Saturdays. People come from all over to buy fresh produce here.
Meent Boulevard
In recent years, De Meent has blossomed into the most glamorous street in the city. A better class of fashion and shoe stores is supplemented by a number of good restaurants, lunchrooms, bars and cocktail lounges. From big fashion brands to small design boutiques, varying from Scotch&Soda, to Zola and American Vintage, head to the Meent boulevard and explore nearby Pannenkoekstraat and Botersloot, a unique area overflowing with small fashion boutiques, second-hand clothing shops, bookstores, design shops, cafés and restaurants.
If you love furniture, vintage home accessories and handcrafted design, you should definitely reserve the afternoon to explore the Oude Noorden area. Originally a working-class neighborhood, it has blossomed into a veritable Valhalla of design in recent years. In the shops in these small, historic buildings, designers sell their own work as well as pieces by other designers.
Admission: Free
Opening hours: Saturday 10:00 – 18:00hrs (some stores will close earlier on New Year’s Eve).
Address: Meent 45 – 3011 JA Rotterdam
Food & Delicacies
The Sue Store – Sweet vegan Delight
Want to indulge your sweet tooth responsibly? Then come to SUE! Although Kim Sue Palm’s tasty treats are a taste sensation, they’re also really healthy. Everything is sugar free, gluten free, lactose free, raw and vegan. SUE makes extensive use of nuts, nut milk, coconut and other natural ingredients. So whatever you order – chocolate and date truffles, snickers, bounty or cheesecake – you don’t have to feel guilty. On the menu are buckwheat waffles, banana bread, granola, smoothies and many more tasty things. Having trouble choosing? Then go for the SUE tasting menu, which includes nine different bites.
Opening hours: Saturday 10:00 – 18:00hrs (Times may vary on New Year’s Eve).
Address: Karel Doormanstraat 372 – 3012 GR Rotterdam
Bertmans
One of Rotterdam’s newest and hippest hotspots is Bertmans, a breakfast and lunch bar serving organic, gluten-free and vegan dishes. Come in and try the Chia seed pudding for breakfast, or perhaps the Okonomiyaki, a Japanese savory pancake, for lunch. On the outdoor seating overlooking Rotte, you can enjoy cold-pressed juices and smoothies, a nice glass of wine or a selection from the cocktail menu.
Opening hours: Saturday 09:30 – 18:00hrs (Times may vary on New Year’s Eve)
Address: Zaagmolenkade 15- 3035 KA Rotterdam
The Tea Lab
Coffee, tea & Cake and pastries. The high tea at the Tea Lab is also available in gluten free and vegan varieties.
Opening hours: Saturday 09:00 – 19:00hrs (Times may vary on New Year’s Eve).
Address: 2e Westewagenhof 80 – 3011 AT Rotterdam
Website: https://thetealab.nl/
Heavenly cupcakes
Patisserie with gluten free options, all vegan since 2015. Offers a delicious Dutch weed burger for lunch. Also sells delicious vegan ice cream and vegan cheese along with red velvet cupcakes and many other varieties.
Opening hours: Saturday 11:00 – 18:00hrs
Address: Nieuwe Binnenweg 244, 3021 GP Rotterdam
Website: https://www.heavenlycupcakesrotterdam.nl/
TIPPING
Tipping is at your discretion. In restaurants a tip of around 10% is customary. For other services like a taxi ride, or a guided service it is considered polite to round up the fare or give a few Euros to the guide and driver.
GETTING AROUND
Rotterdam is a compact city and a walking is often the best way to get around the city, but if you travel further, Rotterdam offers an excellent public transport service. The Rotterdam Tram service is very useful for short distances and takes you to locations which are not covered by metro. Please note that you must have a special Travel Chipcard in Rotterdam to pay for public transport. As a visitor you can purchase a Welcome Rotterdam Card for Euro 11,00. The Rotterdam Welcome Card includes a coupon booklet with discount on Rotterdam attractions and free public transport in Rotterdam. The coupons offer you a minimum of 25% cash discount on the admission to many attractions, a couple of museums, restaurants and bars in Rotterdam. At some attractions you even get as much as 50% discount!
Place your OV-chipkaart against the card reader on bus or tram. The card reader will give a confirmation signal. At the end of your journey you check out the same way. The applicable balance will be deducted from your card automatically.
Public Transportation info: http://9292.nl/en
Rotterdam Welcome Card: http://www.rotterdamwelcomecard.com/en
Watertaxi
With around 50 landing stages in Rotterdam and the surrounding area, Watertaxi Rotterdam offers you comfortable and reliable transport on the water. Faster than by road, Watertaxi Rotterdam is a good alternative for anyone wanting to cut down on travelling time. Not to mention the fact that a ride in a water taxi is a wonderful experience if you want to see Rotterdam from the river.
You can take a water taxi from any of the 50 or so landing stages in and around Rotterdam.
Call +31 (0) 10 4030303, tell them your location and where you want to go. They will let you know immediately how soon we can pick you up. Fares vary depending on the zone you are travelling to. In the city center the rate varies from Euro 4,50 (zone 1) and Euro 7,00 (Zone 2) and Euro 10,00 (Zone 3). You can book journeys in advance using the online booking system on this website or by calling Watertaxi. The fleet consists of ten fast water taxis: five boats with a capacity of 8 passengers and five boats with a capacity of 12.
Online bookings: http://www.watertaxirotterdam.nl/reserveren/#!reserveringsaanvraag_watertaxi
Rotterdam Taxi Service
Contact: +31 (0) 10 229 3508
Uber Chauffeur service
The Uber chauffeur service is also available in Rotterdam, you can use the service via the UberApp which you can download on your smart phone.
